Apparatus for powdering the interior of surgeons&#39; gloves



C. J. MILLER June 16, 1953 APPARATUS FOR POWDERING THE INTERIOR OF SURGEONS GLOVES Filed March 24, 1951 Ify M Patented June 16, 1953 w en APPARATUS FOR POWDERING THE IN- TERIOR OF SURGEONS GLOVES Charles J. Miller, deceased, late of Buffalo, N. Y.,

by Catherine F. Miller, administratrix,

Buffalo,

Application March 24, 1951, Serial No. 217,37 9

6 Claims.

1 This invention relates to an apparatus for powdering the interior of surgeons gloves after sterilizing and drying the same.

, It is common to .clean surgeons gloves by hand, even in large hospitals, and in such places theiull time of one person is required in handcleaning and drying the gloves, after which the latter are coated interiorly with talcum or other powder to facilitate slipping the glove over the hand of the surgeon preparatory to operating. For this purpose this invention is designed to provide an apparatus such as set out in a copending application filed October 29, 1947, under Serial No. 782,809, now issued as Patent No. 2,565,455, and of which this application is a continuation-in-part; said co-pending application and the said patent now issued thereon illustrating as part thereof the features of the invention set out in this application, whereby after sterilizing and drying the gloves, talcum or similar powder is internally applied thereto for the purpose mentioned.

This application has for one of its objects to provide an apparatus to which surgeons rubber gloves are applied in collapsed condition and by means of air under pressure passed through a .container filled or partially filled with talcum or similar powder, the glove is expanded or inflated and simultaneously therewith a quantity of tal- .cum or similar powder directed thereinto so as to powder-coat the entire interior thereof.

7 A further object of this invention is to provide novel supports or holders for the gloves in which provision is made for stretching the open wristportion of a glove around a powder-dispensing head or element in an air-tight manner; the stretch Ofthe wrist-portion of the glove being such that air under pressure, such as used for .directing the talcum or other powder into the ;glove, will not permit the powder to be forced toutwardly between the glove and the powder- .dispensing head or element.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional apparatus. s

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through one of the powder-dispensing devices, including a powder container, a glove support or holder and the means for directing air under pressure through the support or holder and into a surgeons or other glove formed of stretchable material and applied to the powder-dispensing head or element of the device.

elevation of this improved Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3---3,

Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of powder-dispensing head or element forming part of the powderdispensing device.

Figs. 6 and '7 are further modified forms of powder-dispensing heads or elements.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on line 83, Fig. 5.

Reference being had to the drawings in detail, IE! designates a frame or housing designed to be mounted on a table II or similar object so as to position the powder-dispensing devices at an elevation convenient to apply the gloves thereto.

This frame or housing is of open-work con-- struction, but may be of a type other than shown, so long as it properly supports the powder-dispensing device, to be hereinafter particularly'described, in convenient position for use. Associated with the frame or housing and preferably disposed therein is an air-chamber in the form of a manifold I2 and in the form shown is constructed of a length of pipe [3 having headers [4 applied thereto to close the ends of the pipe in and air-tight manner.

An air-inlet pipe i5 is threaded into the pipe l3 at a suitable point in its length and this pipe 15 is shown as passing through the table II and the bottom of the frame or housing support i0.

Air-supply pipes 16 are threaded into the airchamber or manifold [2 so as to extend upwardly therefrom. These pipes are held against lateral or swaying movement by passing them through openings in the top of the frame or housing, and indirectly connected to these air-supply pipes are gloveholders or supports ll so formed as to retain surgical or other rubber gloves in collapsed condition thereon, as. illustrated partly by the dotted lines 18 in Fig. 2.

In Fig. l a surgical or other rubber glove is shown applied in expanded or inflated condition to one of the glove holders or supports ll; such expanded or inflated condition being caused by the introduction of air thereinto in the manner to be hereinafter described.

Each of the powder-dispensing devices comprises a glass or other container 19 in which talcum or other similar powder 20 is placed, to be gradually dispensed. therefrom.

. In the form in which this container is used 1t has its upper end open and it is provided with a cap Zlwhich is threaded or otherwise applied theretoto close the same in an air-tight manner. Secured to the cap 2 l and depending therefrom is a tube 22 comprising an upper imperiorate section 23, a lower imperforate section 24 terminating at its lower end a distance from the bottom of the container and an intermediate foraminous section 25, preferably in the form of a fine mesh wire-screen. This tube 22 is open at its loWQ end and its upper end is attached to a nipple, 25 passed through the cap 2| and held in place by a fitting 27 in the form of an elbow, or otherwise, formin part of the air-supply pipe 16 connected to the air-chamber or manifold l2. The upper end of the upper imperforate, section is threaded tightly onto the nipple 26. and bears firmly against the under side of the cap 2!, which causes the fitting 2-1. to be drawn firmly against the upper side of the cap.

Fitted into the nipple 26 and depending therefrom coaxially with the tube 22 is an imperforate tube 28 which terminates at its lower end within the lower imperiorate section 24 of the tube22.

A powder delivery tube 29 extends downwardly into each container 59 through the cap thereof and also upwardly therefrom and on this tube the glove holder or support l? is mounted. The tube 29 is open at both ends and it opens upwardly through said holder or support in any of various ways in which this can be accomplished. For example in Fig. 2, this tube has its upper end threaded into a boss 3!! formed On a substantially semi-spherical head having a rim 3! around its edge, the head being die-cast or otherwise cast to form. In this instance, the upper open end of the powder delivery tube serves as the powderdischarge opening of the holder or support H.

In Fig. a similar head formed of sheet metal is illustrated and shown in detail in Fig, 8, this headis placed over the end ofthe powder delivery tube 29- and fastened thereto by means of a hollow nipple 32 passed through an opening in the head and threaded into the upper end of said tube; said-nipple being enlarged at its upper end to provide a downwardly facing shoulder 33. which bears a ainst said head around the region surrounding the opening therein and securely fastens the head to, the upper end of said tube. 'In this-modifieation, the passage through the nipple serves as the powder-discharge opening of the d r r s ppor t:

In Fig. G-the holder or support is shown in the form of a truncated cone having the tube 29 threaded axially thereinto from the bottom and opening into an upwardly flaring cavity 34., the cavity serving to distribute the talcum or other powder as it is forcibly directed into the glove. It is 't o; be understood, of course, that the upper open end ofthe tube '29 opens directly into the cavity 34 and serves as the powder-diseharge openingof the holder or support i7.

In Fig. 7 the glove holder or support is shown in the form of a hollow head into which the upper endof; the tube 28' opens, the upper fiat face of the-head b'eing'perforated, as at 3.5, to also aid in distributing'the powder. In thismodification the perforations '35 shown in the. upper fiat face of the head serve as powder-discharge openings.

The tube 29" is provided along its length with perforations 36 andeach of the air-supply pipes I6 is provided-with a valve 3'! whereby. the compressed air from the air-chamber i2 may be direet-ed into the powder containers. Three such containers are shown in Fig. l of the drawings, the valves 31 of two of such containers being closed; While the-valve of the other is open. The glove holder or'support associated with the airsupply pipe having-its valve shown in open position has a glove applied thereto, as shown by the dotted lines 38, the glove being inflated by the air passing through the powder container and into the glove, the wrist-portion of which latter is stretched around the holder or support in an air-tight manner so that the air directed through the container and carrying powder with it cannot escape at this point.

The diameter or perimeter of the glove holder or support ll, therefore, is such that in order to fasten. the love thereto, the wrist portion of the glove will be stretched over the rim of the holder or support and when applied in stretched condition its. inherent elasticity will result in its gripping the rim after the strain of stretching the glove has been relieved. Thus an air-tight joint or unionis provided between the glove and its holder or support while the remainder of the glove lies or hangs limp over the holder or support.

The walls of the limp portion of the glove consequently encompass the powder discharge opening or openings of the various types of' holders or supports suitable for use in this invention and when the powder is forced through said opening or openings under air pressure, such pressure will cause the limp. portion of; the glove to expand so as to expose all areas of the inner wall surfaces of the. glove and assure an even distribution of the powder, which powder-willadhereto saidwall surfaces in a thin even layer and thus makeit easy to apply the glove to the hand.

When the wrist portion of the glove is stretched over the rim ofthe holder or support H, the extreme open end of the glovemay or may not be stretched. If unstretched, it will alsohang limp from the rim, of the" holder or support and if stretched, as may. be the case with very-small sizes of gloves, the depending portion will be stretched to a lesser degree than the portion directly in contact with the rim of the holder or support, with the result that assurance will be had or" a firm attachment of the glove to the holder or support so that when the powder is directed into the glove under air pressure; such pressure will be insufficient to cause the glove to become detached frornthe holder or'support.

It will furthermore be apparent that opening of the valves associated with the containersneed not'be extended over along-period of time, since immediately the; valves are opened; the air carries a quantity ofpowder with it and distributes it within the expanded glove; the latter being expanded upon introduction of air thereinto. Therefore, opening of a valve for an instantonly is sufiioient to properly powder a glove attached to the holder-or support-of a device.

While three powder containers are shownin the drawings,- any number maybe-employed, each being under separate valve control, but not necessarily so. Upon openinga valve, such-as'shown at 3i, or otherwise controlling the iiowofcornpressecl air into the container; the airenters; the tube 28 and is-direct'ed against the powder within the tube 22; said tube 22 being surrounded by the powder within-the container and apart'of the. powder being entered inthe lower imperforate section i l-of said tube. Since the lower end of the tube 221s filled-with powder, the-pressure of the air directed against the powder within this tube forces the powder through the foraminous'section 25' of the tube-22 and exerts-pree sure against the portions of" the powdersurrounding said-tube and alsothe-portions thereof surrounding the tube 29, with the result that the powder is forced through the perforations 36 in said tube 29 and is carried upwardly through the latter, the powder being distributed over all interior surfaces of the fingers or digits of the glove as well as the body portion thereof; manipulation of the valves 3! for an instant being suiiicient to properly coat the interior of the glove so that it is ready for instant use and can be easily slipped over the hand of the surgeon when preparing to operate.

It is to be noted that the pressure of the air is reduced by reason of its force being considerably expended within the powder container and it is therefore insufficient to cause the glove to be stripped from its holder or support.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a glove powdering apparatus, the combination with a housing, of a compressed air chamber confined within said housing, a powdercontainer mounted outside of said housing, an

ing in communication with the interior of said tube, said glove holder having a contact-rim around its perimeter adapted to have the wristportion of a rubber glove stretched thereover and having its powder-discharge opening within the confines of said contact-rim, said rim forming an air-tight union with the glove when the wrist portion of the latter is stretched around said rim so as to inflate the remainder of the glove upon introduction of compressed air into said powder-container, powder within said container i being delivered into said inflated glove with the compressed air to powder-coat the interior of said glove.

2. In a glove powdering apparatus, the combination with a housing, of a compressed-air chamber within said housing, a powder-container mounted on said housing, an air-supply pipe leading from said compressed-air chamber to said powder-container, a tube extending downwardly into said powder container and connected with said air-supply pipe, a second tube extending into said powder container and upwardly therefrom, said second tube being provided with perforations along the lower portion thereof, a glove holder secured to the upper end of said tube and having a contact rim at its perimeter over which the wrist-portion of a limp glove is to be stretched so that the portion of the glove disposed above said contact rim remains limp, the upper end of said tube opening into said glove when the latter is appliedto said holder, and means to control the passage of compressed air from said compressed-air chamber to said powder-container to cause air to be directed into said powder-container, from the latter into said second tube and from said second tube into saidglove to cause the limp portion of the glove above said rim to be inflated while the portion of the glove in contact with said rim remains gripped thereby and powder to be delivered from said powder-container into said glove to powder-coat the interior surfaces of all parts thereof.

3. An apparatus for powdering the interior of rubber gloves, comprising a powder container and an air-supply pipe connected thereto for direct- +16. ing air under pressure thereinto, an imperforate tube connected to saidv air-supply pipe and extending downwardly into said container from thetop'thereof, a second tube surrounding said imperforate tube and spaced therefrom, said second tube having a foraminous portion between its ends and said first-mentioned tube terminating within said second tube,'and an additional tube passed: through the top of said container and having perforations along its length, said additional tube extending upwardly a distance above the top of said container, a glove holder secured to theupper end of said additional tube and having a contact rim at its perimeter designed to engage a ring-like region of the interior surface of the wrist portion of a rubber glove when stretched therearound and retain the same thereon, said glove being inflated upon introduction of said compressed air into said container and having the powder within said container forced through said foraminous section and through said additional tube and distributed over the interior surfaces of all parts of the inflated glove under the force of air introduced into said container through said imperforate tube.

4. An apparatus for inflating and powdering the interior of rubber gloves, comprising a support, an air-chamber, an air-inlet pipe leading to the latter from a source of compressed air, a powder container on said support, an air-supply pipe leading from said air-chamber and having its upper end connected to said powder container,

means to control the passage of compressed air through said air-supply pipe, a tube extending from the terminal of said air-supply pipe downwardly into the powder in said container, a second tube in said container extending upwardly therefrom, and a glove holder mounted on the upper end of said second tube and adapted to have the wrist-portion of a rubber glove stretched thereover while the remainder of the glove remains limp, said air-supply pipev and the tube extending downwardly from the latter delivering air into said container to force the powder within the latter upwardly through said second tube and into the rubber glove to inflate the latter and interiorly powder-coat the same.

5. In an apparatus for powdering the interior of rubber gloves, a powder container having an air tube connected thereto for directing air under pressure thereinto, a second tube surrounding said air tube and having an imperforate upper portion, an imperforate lower portion terminating near the bottom of said container and a foraminous intermediate portion connecting said imperforate portions together, said air tube ter minating within said imperforate lower portion, a third tube extending downwardly from the top of said container and terminating at its lower end near the bottom of the latter, said third tube being perforated along its length and extending upwardly above the top of said container, a glove holder secured to the upper end of said third tube and a glove-contacting rim adapted to have the wrist-portion of a rubber glove stretched around the same to retain said glove in an airtight manner around the rim of said glove holder, said air tube directing air into said powder container to force air and powder from said second tube into said third tube through the perforations thereof so as to force air and powder upwardly through said holder and into the rubber glove applied thereto for the purpose of inflating said glove and coating the interior surfaces of all parts thereof.

6. In an apparatus for powdering the interior of rubber gloves, a powder container having an air-supply tube connected thereto including a fitting bearing against the top of said container, a nipple passed through the top of said container and extending above and beneath the same, said nipple having said fitting threaded onto the upwardly-projecting portion thereof, a tube within said container connected to the lower projecting portion of said nipple and depending therefrom, a tube parallel with first-mentioned tube and extending upwardy a distance above the top of said container, a glove holder secured to the upper end of said second tube and having a glove-contacting rim portion adapted to have the wrist-portion of a rubber glove stretched around the same while the remainder of the glove hangs limp on said glove holder above and beneath said rim portion, and 7 8 through said air-supply pipe so as to forcepow der within said container upwardly through said second tube and into the rubber glove applied to said glove holder so as to inflate the limp portion of said glove above said rim portion and deliver air under pressure and powder into said rubber glove to coat the interior surfaces of all portions thereof with powder while thus inflated.

CATHERINE F. MILLER, Administratrim of the estate of Charles J. Miller,

deceased.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,830,598 Fagan Nov. 3, 1931 2,219,208 Knight Oct. 22, 1940 Miller Aug. 21, 1951 

